10/21/17....Went to 9/11 Memorial, saw Statue of Liberty from a distance. , went to China Town, ate at Chevy’s Ate at Chevy’s Fresh Mex Restaurant. Spent 1 1/2 hours in Time Square

Our New York Tour Guide (He is an actor in plays)  He was very good.  Knew about  pretty much everything and also knew where the stars live.

Bill by the amazing fountain where World Trade Tower used to be

Me

The different shaped building in the background on the right is the Fredom Tower

New World Trade Centers.  Still working on the one in the back

Fountain from a distance

This is by the memorial

In the memorial looking down at a beam from the World Trade Center and the slurry wall that was build to keep water from the Hudson River out

Bent up beams from the World Trade Center

Picture they had hanging up

Survivors Stairway

Many people survived because of this stairway

Rose someone left by a name on the fountain

This was gorgeous with the water flowing down the sides and then into the  square hole in the center. The names of those killed are on the outside of the wall

Wes, Gayla, Sue, Charlie, Me and Bill infant of the fountain

Bill

e

New World Trade Centers

Cafe right across from the World Trade Center that  wasn't destroyed.  It was covered in dust, but as soon as they cleaned it up they opened it and fed the rescuers free food while they were working

We got muffins and hot chocolate from the restaurant.  They had a sit down area to order off the menu, but we knew we were going to be eating in three hours, so just ate light.

This is where we ate. Sue got an ice cream cone from the pink and turquoise ice cream truck and it was a single for $5

Bill by his buddy

So many tall buildings.  Lots of police all over too which I was thankful for

The Empire State Bldg. in the background

Police, Police and more Police

Gayla and Wes in China Town

Wes walking in China Town

Bill, Wes and Gayla finding deals

We ate at Chevy's
Fresh Mex Restaurant in Times Square

Times Square

In Times Square where the ball drops on New Years

Times Square

The Statue of Liberty walking around trying to get people to have their picture taken next to it  it  and buy it.

Bill and I in Times Square with the Place they drop the ball in the background

Times Square at Night

Bill by the Marine Emblem and flag in Times Square

Hard Rock Cafe and Paramount Pictures in background

Guy in green on the right sat ahead of us on the bus and at our table for breakfast.  We couldn't believe it when we saw him out in the street with these others that were going to let the guy in the red hat jump over them

Bill in Times Square

We ate breakfast at the hotel.  Had two nice Christian couples sit with us.  We left at 9 for New York. The skyline was beautiful.  Loved seeing the Statue of Liberty in the distance.  We went and met our tour guide for the next three days.  We went to the 9/11 Memorial.  It was very emotional.  Saw lots of pictures and videos from the sequence of that sad day!  Also saw destroyed fire trucks, ambulances, equipment, etc,    So blessed to see it and honor those who were killed.  The fountain that is where the first tower stood is absolutely beautiful.  So moving because all the names are on it and hard to imagine that such an enormous building could have fallen and be gone.  We went and got muffins and hot chocolate to eat.  Didn’t want to eat to much and be full when we were eating again at 4:30.  We walked around a little and then got back on the bus.  Went to China Town and shopped.  Wasn’t wild about that.  Lots of the same stuff and everywhere we went someone was asking us to come in the store.  eWe went to Chevy’s Freah Mex Restaurant after that and had the buffet.  It was in Time Square.  We walked around Time Square for an hour and a half after that.  Took pictures of where the ball drops on New Years Eve.  Lots of people walking around.  The lights are so bright on the marquis it seemed like daytime even though it was dark out.  The side roads sure were dark.  I took lots of pics.  Had two couples get lost, so we had to wait for our tour guide to find them.  We were a half hour late taking off.  We sure were happy to see them.  We were all tired after such a long day so we’re happy to get back to the hotel.

10/19/17....Vikki took us to Meijers to get on our tour bus. Going to New York to 9/11 memorial , Statue of Liberty, etc

New York Trip

10/1917

Bill and I on the bus

Our bus we took to New York

Bill at the rest area in Pennsylvania 

Bill at the rest area

Sue with her friend

Sue, Gayla and me

Enjoying our lunch along the way

Vikki came over after she dropped the kids off at school, and Bill drove us to Meijers.  The bus was early and everyone was there so we left 25 minuets early.  We picked up people in Frankenmuth and Flint and after that we were a half hour ahead of schedule.  It was a beautiful warm sunny day.  Bill wore shorts!  One other lady was wearing shorts and was so happy to see Bill was wearing them too. The guide told us lots about our trip and it sounds amazing!  I am so excited!  

We stopped at a restaurant at a rest area in Pennsylvania and ate. Wes Gayla and I got pizza and it was cold.  There was only one lady working and she had a broken arm so we didn’t complain. 

Drove through the Allegheny mountains.  Beautiful, but not much color yet.  Arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in State College and ate dinner and spent the night!

10/20/17 We ate breakfast, went through Poconos, ate there, went to Texas Longhorn Restaurant, then to Crown Plaza Hotel I. NJ

Beautiful scenery in the Allegany Mountains on the way

Me by the bus

Us having dinner at the Texas Longhorn Restaurant

We are a great breakfast at our hotel and then left to go to New Jersey.  We went through the Poconos and stopped at a restaurant called Friendlys.  I had a yummy chicken salad for 5.55.  Bill had chicken noodle soup and fries.  We ate light because we knew we would be eating at 4:30.  The bus ride was nice,  We got to  the Texas Longhorn at 4:10.  Wes and Bill had Steak and the rest of us at our table had chicken parmigiana.  It was so delicious.  We all got free sundaes for dessert.  We got to our hotel at 7, and everyone on the crammed elevator got off at the 2nd floor.  Bill and I stayed on and went to the 5th floor.  After a while we tried our tv and it didn’t work.  I looked and it was unplugged.  I plugged it in and it still didn’t work.  We called and the guy couldn’t get it fixed so we moved to a new room on the 2nd floor.  We had already unpacked everything, so it was a job. Wouldn’t you know, we haven’t been drinking pop and someone left Three pops in our refrigerator.

10/18/17 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL AND SWEET DAUGHTERS.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMMY AND VIKKI!  I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!

The two birthday girls!

 
The birthday girls parents

CELEBRATING THESE TWO SWEETIES TODAY...SO PROUD OF HOW THEY HAVE TURNED INTO SUCH WONDERFUL YOUNG LADIES

MELISSA AND I CELEBRATED YOU TODAY.  SORRY YOU WEREN'T THERE

Vikki came over after she dropped the kids off at school and we went to Sportszone and picked Bill up.  We all went to meet Kimmy at Bob Evans in Midland to celebrate Kimmy and Vikki's birthdays.  It is our yearly tradition to have breakfast together.  We had such a nice time and the food was yummy.  The girls each got a free cinnamon roll for their birthday.  They were full so they took it home.  Kimmy and Vikki had to go to work after that.  I finished packing and then went to the bank, to Kroger's and to Melissa's.  I surprised her and took her a donut and Mocha.  We celebrated the girls birthdays together since Melissa had to help out at the kid's school and couldn't come this morning.  We had a good laugh while we were celebrating.  I taught my class in the evening and only had 6 kids.  5 were missing.  It was a good lesson and went great.  Joan had some snickers bars on the counter for me.  She is always so sweet and leaves great surprises for me.

10/17/17...Went to breakfast, stopped at Melissa's, matched up outfits to take on trip, got house ready for care group, studied lesson

Went to breakfast at Sullivan's.  There were thirteen of us there.  We will be needing the back room soon.  After breakfast, I went to Melissa's to take her dish back and visit.  Nora was there and was so cute.  Melissa and I had fun watching videos of the kids when they were little.  I left and went to Aldi's and got a silicone top that prevents stuff from boiling over on the stove.  It will be nice not to have that problem again.  Got a new metal carafe tool  Tried stuff on and matched outfits I am taking on trip.  Nice to have that done.  I was cold so I turned the heat on for an hour while I did stuff.  Once the house was warm, I turned it back off.  Nice and sunny out so it stayed warm.  Excited to have small group tonight.

10/16/17...Went to see Kenzie's new apartment, Vikki and Misty stopped to get shelves Bill made

Saw these two sweeties when I took Vikki home

Worked on getting stuff ready for trip. I went shopping and got a couple of new tops for my trip and one pair of jeans.   Kenzie called and wanted me to come see her new apartment.  I talked to Vikki and she wanted to go along, so I picked her up and we went to see her.  Her apartment is cute and she has it decorated real cute.  We visited there for a while and I gave her the stuff I brought her (rechargeable sweeper, broom and dustpan, garbage bags) and Vikki gave her lots of cute clothes she got for her.  I should have taken a picture of Kenzie in her new place but will have to to it next time.  I was glad to see she is in a nice area.  We had a nice visit and then dropped her off at work and we headed to Michaels so Vikki could get bags for her bracelets.  I took her home and went in to see Peyton and Isaac.  Got my hugs and could only stay a couple of minutes.  Came home, made pizzas for dinner,  hung the beautiful fall wreath Misty made me up, and did our lesson for Bible Study.  Watched a movie.

10/15/17...Went to church, taught Sunday School, Went to Debbie

s

Peyton and Debbie

Debbie, Angie, Lourdes, Fred, Melissa and Sonny

Hailey, Vikki, Melissa, Angie, Lourdes and Fred

Bill's Buddy Sharaz watching the game with him

Lourdes, Fred and Angie

Fred, Lourdes, Angie, Debbie, Tom me and Bill

Got up at 5:30 and made 3 batches of cheesy potatoes for the party today.   Got ready and went to church early to get everything ready in my classroom.  Went into the sanctuary for worship and then went to class when they dismissed the kids.  Had nine kids today. We sure had fun in class.

After church we came home and changed and picked up the stuff we had to take to the party.  We got to Debbie's at one and Angie met us in the driveway.  Sure was good to see her.  She gave us some pickled beets!  YUM.  I gave her some stuff I made for her and a motorcycle headband I picked up for her.  We were celebrating her 70th birthday.  We all got her the garden statue in the last picture.  We had yummy food and the best desserts.  Had such a good time visiting with everyone.  The kids were all so good you didn't even know they were there.